Martin Bisi - Interview med Martin Bisi

Hallo. First of I would like to congratulate you on your new album. Could you start out by introducing yourself and tell us what part in the band you have?

Martin Bisi (Founder of Martin Bisi [band] and BC Studio Brooklyn/ Guitar and Vocals): I've had a recording studio in Brooklyn since 1981. I helped bring together people from over the decades to make this record, marking the 35 year anniversary Martin Bisi; producer of BC35.

Genevieve Fernworthy (Multi-Instrumentalist/ Vocals): I’m a multi-instrumentalist and composer from South Carolina now based in Brooklyn -associate producer on the BC35 album, and play electric viola, synth, vocals in the Martin Bisi band.

Why did you choose this title for the record?

MB: The studio is called BC Studio, and the album celebrated it's 35 years- It was Genevieve who named it BC35.

GF: I had a bunch of projects I was trying to manage, and “BC35” was a shorthand abbreviation, really, but then it stuck.

When did you start working on this album, how long did the process take from the first step to the final product? Was it hard to write new material for this record or did it come naturally for you?

MB: We recorded the basics in January 2016, live in front of an audience. And it took 9 months to finish. It was written collaboratively, spontaneously, and some was improvised.

GF: Yes, once the initial recording was finished, the Lion’s share of work began.

Where did you record the album, and who produced it? How did the cooperation go between the band and the producer ?

MB: Recorded at my Brooklyn studio, BC Studio. Produced by me and Genevieve Fernworthy. It was a painstaking process.

Are you trying to express something through your music?

MB: There's many voices on this record. Art imitates life, at least in this case.

Since the release is only a few days away now, how has the response from the press been?

MB: We've been blown away by the press, not so much quantity, but quality.

You've already released the first song(s) online for your fans to hear, how has the new material been received from the fans so far?

MB: Some are very ecstatic as there are some reunions on the album of bands, like Live Skull who have played together since early 90's.

Who did the artwork and what is the idea behind it?

GF: We had to send this around to potential labels, with a quick image that they could see as a finished product, even if it wasn’t yet. So I made this image that Martin liked, but one which I saw as a placeholder. I later got a mutual friend of ours, Alexey Novikov, to recreate it.

He is a world renowned photographer, and I knew he’d do it justice. A stencil of the letters BC35 was made over a mylar sheet, and photographed.

How would you compare the material on this release to your previous material?

MB: My previous release, Ex Nihilo (Labelship) was personal, where I played almost everything. This record has over 30 participants.

What kind of stuff did you grow up listening to, and what kind new music do you listen to these days?

MB: I grew up listening to what now would be call "Prog" and also Punk. These days, since I work as a recording engineer/producer, I check out as much music as I can, so I don't listen to anything repeatedly.

Have any of these bands been source of inspiration for the album?

MB: I think with all the participants on the record, everyone brings their influences, but it's somewhat subconscious. I think everyone did their own thing.

In your time as musicians, what is your biggest musical achievement so far and what has been your biggest experience through the years?

MB: These days in music, any day I can keep moving forward is an achievement. Every song or album completed is a massive personal experience.

GF: Not dying.

Could we expect any European tour and maybe see the band in action here in Denmark any time soon?

MB: Yes, Martin Bisi [band] will be in Europe in November. We don't know about Denmark yet, but hopefully.

GF: I would LOVE to get to Denmark. I attempted learning Danish specifically so I could read Kierkegaard in his own language. I think we’d do a great mashup of “The Sickness Unto Death” with “Sin - Love - Hate” (a Martin Bisi band song).

What would be the ultimate tour, festival or show for you to play at?

MB: We haven't made the jump to playing festivals yet. Roadburn or Primavera would be great.

GF: Festivals. Any and all, since you get to hang and interact with other bands that you actually want to see, a tour leaves so little free time. It’d be great to see all those people at once.

Do you have any breaking news with the bands?

MB: There's more to come with this BC35 project, there'll be more material, and music videos to be released.

That’s all we’ve get this time, do you have anything that you'd like to add or say?